Checkwriter with two position prefix bar



Feb. 28, 1967 JAGGE-R 3,306,187

CHECKWRITER WITH TWO POSITION PREFIX BAR Filed 001:. 2, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 28, 1967 H. JAGGER CHECKWRITER WITH TWO POSITIONPREFIX BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1964 -fm/enZ 0r.--

ffzzberi 0 677 Feb. 28, 1967 H. JAGGER CHECKWRITER WITH TWO POSITIQNPREFIX BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 2, 1964 fm/enzb rxffalberilUnited States Patent Ofifice 3,3fifi,l87 Patented Feb. 28, 19673,396,187 (TI-IEiIKWRiTEIi. WITH 'I'Wi) PGSITIGN PREFIX BAR HubertJagger, Lincclnwond, Ill, assiguor to Theodore B. Hirschberg, 3L,Qhicago, Ill. Fiied Oct. 2, 1954, Eer. No. 491,937 7 Claims. (Cl. NI-2d) This invention relates to machines for printing checks and similarinstruments, commonly termed checkwriters, and has to do with machinesemploying a sum or prefix bar in conjunction with independentlyadjustable printing segments and cooperating platen means for effectinga printing operation.

Checkwriters of the character referred to are known and extensivelyused. In such known machines the respective printing segments bearprinting charact rs ranging from zero to nine, the two cent and the lastdollar segment being adjustable from a maximum value printing positionto a zero printing position and the remaining dollar segments beingadjustable from a maximum value printing position to a non-printingposition beyond the zero printing position of the last three segments. Aslidably mounted prefix bar, normally disposed to the left of andadjacent the first printing segment, is moved inward, incident to aprinting operation, into contact with the first one of the segments thendisposed in printing position. If, for example, the third printingsegment is in printing position, with the first and second segments innon-printing position, the prefix bar will move inward into contact withthe third segment and will lock the first and second segments innon-printing position. That guards against accidental displacement ofeither of the latter segments with possible resultant printing of acheck in an amount much greater than intended, assuming the othersegments to be properly adjusted. When it is desired to print a checkfor less than ten dollars, the three last segments are properlyadjusted, with all other segments in non-printing position. The prefixbar will then move inward into contact with the last dollar segment,incident to a printing operation, efiective for locking the othersegments against displacement. When the prefix bar is in its normalposition all of the printing segments may be adjusted from zero tomaximum value printing position. -ccordingly, the segments may be set toprint the maximum amount of which the machine is capable. That incursthe risk that unless care is exercised in setting the segments, themachine may be set to print a check greatly in excess of the amountintended.

My present invention is directed to avoidance of the above notedobjections to presently known checkwriters, above mentioned. To that endI provide means for controlling the adjustability of the printingsegments in such manner that the maximum amount capacity of thecheckwriter may be varied to suit requirements, while also assuring thatall of the printing segments, except the last or second cent segment,are locked in non-printing position, when the machine is used forprinting a check in an amount less than ten cents. More particularly, Iprovide a two position prefix bar having a normal inner position,effective for locking certain of the dollar segments in non-printingadjustment, and an outer position releasing such segments foradjustment, such prefix bar having maximum inward movement into contactwith the second cent segment when the machine is set to print a check inan amount less than ten cents. Further objects and advantages of myinvention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a checkwriter embodying my invention, withthe prefix bar in its normal segment locking inner position;

FIGURE 2 is a right side view of the checkwriter of FIGURE 1, with theside panel of the housing broken away in major portion;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the printing segments assembly andassociated parts, with the printing segments and the prefix bar in theirnormal positions and certain parts shown in section;

FZGURE 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 3but extended for the full height and length of the checkwriter, withcertain parts broken away for clearness of illustration;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but with certain parts omittedfor clearness of illustration and the prefix bar shown in its innermostposition;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but with the prefix bar in itssegment releasing outer position.

The checkwriter embodying my invention is, in general, similar to thatof the Rindfleisch Patent No. 2,697,981, and a brief descriptionthereof, except as to those features having to do with my instantinvention will sufiice. It is provided with an enclosing housing 1having a base 2 and an upper section 3 with an intervening slot 4 forinsertion of a check blank. The upper section 3 of the housing comprisesside panels 5 and 6 of irregular polygonal shape and a cover plate 7extending between the side plates. The housing 1 encloses a main frameand the operating and printing means mounted thereon.

The main frame comprises side frame plates 8 and 9, secured together inparallel spaced relation, by cross rods as in the above identifiedpatent and conforming generally in shape to the housing panels 5 and 6and base 2 of housing 1, each having an upper portion and a base portionwith an intervening slot. A shaft 10 extends between side plates 8 and 9with its ends mounted therein. A sum post 11 is mounted at its upper endon shaft 10, adjacent the inner face of side frame plate 8 and isanchored at its lower end to a slotted guide bar 12 extending betweenside frame plates 8 and 9 with its ends fixed therein. A cent post 13 ismounted at its upper end on shaft It adjacent the inner face of sideframe plate 9, and is anchored at its lower end to the guide bar 12. Thepost 13 is provided at its underface with the printing characters cts,in abbreviation of cents, disposed adjacent and in front of the guidebar 12. The printing line of the machine is immediately in front ofguide bar 12 and is determined thereby in conjunction with the cent postand a prefix bar aligned therewith, as will appear more fully presently.

A plurality of printing segments are mounted on shaft 10, withintervening spacing collars 16, for individual adjustment thereabout. Ihave shown, by way of example, ten printing segmentseight dollarsegments and two cent segments. The dollar segments comprise twogroups-a first group consisting of the first two segments 17 and asecond group of six segments 18, there being a third group consisting ofthe two cent segments 19. Each of the printing segments is provided witha type bar 20 provided on its printing face with a series of printingcharacters ranging from zero to nine. An adjusting arm 21 is secured toeach of the segments and projects forwardly therefrom through a slot inthe cover plate 7. An indexing strip 22 is secured to each adjusting arm21, except those of the first two dollar segments 17, in substantiallyconcentric relation to the corresponding segment. The strips 22 arenumbered correspondingly to the type bars and cooperate with openings incover plate 7 to indicate the printing characters of the segments whichare disposed on the printing line of the machine, in the usual manner.The area or strip of the cover plate 17 between the slots receiving arms21 of the first two segments 17 is numbered similarly to the indexstrips 22 and in cooperation with such arms provides means forindicating the printing character of each of such segments which isdisposed on the printing line. That eliminates two indexing stripsthereby reducing the required width of the machine, particularlydesirable if there are a greater number than usual of printingsegmentsthe usual number being eight. Obviously, if desired, the firsttwo dollar segments 17 may be provided with indexing strips,particularly if the number of printing segments used is eight or less.

The printing segments extend into the slots of the guide bar 12 and arerestrained thereby against undesirable lateral looseness or play. Eachof the printing segments is provided at its rearward portion with a twoway arcuate rack 25 operating in a slot of an indexing bar 26 extendingbetween the side frame plates 8 and 9 with its ends fixed therein. Thebar 26 carries spring pressed ball detents which cooperate with theracks 25 for releasably holding the printing segments in adjustment, asis known. The type bar 20 of each of the printing segments is providedat the end thereof contiguous to the zero printing character with a cutout or notch 27 of material depth. The right hand or last slot 28 incover plate 7 is of such length that the adjusting arm 21 of the secondcent segment cannot be moved downward beyond a position in which theZero printing character of that segment is disposed on the printingline. All other slots 29 in cover plate 7 extend downward beyond slot 28to such an extent that the adjusting arms 21 of the other segments maybe moved downward beyond zero printing position with the notches 27 ofsuch other segments disposed on the printing line.

The printing characters of the segments disposed on the printing linecooperating, in a printing operation, with a platen 31 mounted betweenthe forward ends of arms 32 rockably mounted on a cross shaft 33extending between the base portions of the side frame plates 8 and 9with its ends mounted therein. The arms are normally held in positionwith the platen 51 spaced below the printing line, by yielding means andare turned in proper direction and to suificient extent to move theplaten 31 into pressure contact with the characters on the printingline, by toggle and lever operating means. Any suitable means may beprovided for that purpose, the means utilized preferably being similarto that of the above identified patent and comprising a toggle 34(FTGURES 2 and 4) normally held folded or collapsed by a tension spring35, and an operating lever 36 having operating connection to the pintleof the toggle for extending the latter and initiating folding orcollapse thereof.

Referring, to FIGURES 3, 4, and 7, the sum post 11 is provided at itsunder face with a rib 33 of inverted T-shape is cross section parallelwith guide bar 12 and slightly in advance thereof. A prefix bar 39having a lengthwise slot of inverted T-shape in cross section isslidably mounted on rib 38 for movement inward and outward along theprinting line. The prefix bar 39 is pro vided at its forward side withtwo spaced forwardly extending outer and inner studs 46 and 41. A latchlever 42 is pivoted between its ends, at 43, on the lower end of a swingarm 44 fixed at its upper end on the forward end of a pivot pin 45rockably mounted through the sum post 11 adjacent the top thereof. Atension spring 46 is anchored at its lower end to the inner end of latchlever 42 and at its upper end to an inward extension 4 in of swing arm44. A second tension spring 47, of materially greater strength thanspring 4%, is anchored at its upper end to an upward extension 48 ofpost 11 and at its lower end to extension 44a of arm 44. The spring 46urges latch lever 42 in counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 43,as viewed in FIGURES 3, 5 and 7, effective for holding the slotted outerend thereof engaged over either of the studs 40 and 41, selectively, aswill be understood. The spring 47 urges swing arm 44 in counterclockwisedirection about the axis of pivot pin, effective for yieldingly urgingthe prefix bar 39 inwardly along the printing line.

Referring to FIGURE 4, an arm 50 is fixed on the rearward end of pivotpin 45 and overlies the forward arm of a lever 51 pivoted on the leftframe side plate 8 at the inner face thereof. The rearward arm of lever51 cooperates with the pintle pin of toggle 34 for holding the lever 51in its normal position shown, when the toggle is in its normal collapsedor folded condition, while permitting turning of lever 51 incounter-clockwise direction as the toggle 34 is extended incident to aprinting operation; as in the above identified Rindfieisch patent. WhileI preferably utilize the lever actuating means of that patent, it is tobe understood that any suitable known means may be provided forretaining lever 51 in its normal position except when performing aprinting operation and for releasing it for turning movement incident tosuch an operation. As will be understood from the above, the lever 51,in cooperation with arm 56, restrains the prefix bar 39 against inwardmovement except incident to a printing operation, during which it isreleased for inward movement. The prefix bar 39 is provided on its loweror printing face wit-h printing characters defining the words The Sumfollowed by a dollar sign. inking means 52, similar to that of the aboveidentified patent, is provided for inking the printing characters on theprinting line. A clearing yoke 53 of appropriate form, rockably mountedon shaft 19, straddles the printing segments and, when effective,returns them to their normal positions, means being provided foroptionally rendering it effective and ineffective. inking means and theclearing yoke and the operating and control means therefor preferablyare similar to those disclosed in the above identified Rindfleischpatent. It will be understood, however, that any suitable known inkingand clearing yoke means may be provided within the broader aspects of myinvention.

The prefix bar 39 is of substantially greater length relative to theprinting line of the machine than the usual type bar as shown, forexample, in the above Rindtleisch patent and in my Patent No. 2,583,001.As previously noted, in the machine of my present invention, the typesegments comprise three groups-the first two dollar segments 17, the sixdollar segments 18 and the two cent segments 19. All of the segments arereturned to normal position upon completion of a printing operation,assuming the clearing yoke to be effective, as it is except when it isdesired to print a plurality of checks for the same amount, in whichcase the clearing yoke is rendered ineifective, as is known. All of thesegments, except the last one, are then disposed in non-printingposition with the notches 27 thereof aligned on the printing line andthe last segment is disposed with the zero printing character thereof onthe printing line. Turning of the segments in resetting direction beyondnormal position is prevented by the length of the slots 29 and 28 in thecover plate 7, as previously noted.

It is assumed that the maximum amount which can be printed without usingthe first two dollar segments 17 is adequate for all ordinary purposes.It is desirable that turning of the first two segments to printingposition be guarded against, to prevent printing of a check for a muchgreater amount than intended, because they are not provided with indexstrips and their setting can not be observed as readily as that of theother segments. Even though the first two segments were provided withindex strips, as they may be if desired, it would still be desirable toguard against unintended or accidental movement thereof fromnon-printing position in the ordinary use of the machine. Accordingly,in the usual use of the machine the prefix bar 39 is disposed in aninner position with the outer end of latch lever 42 engaged over theouter stud 40, as in FIGURES 1 and 3. The inner end portion of prefixbar 39 then extends into notches 27 of the first two segments 17effective for locking them in nonprinting position. Also, the outer endof the prefix bar is then disposed within the width of the base 2 of themachine. That is desirable as guarding against damage to the prefix barand associated parts of the machine by contact of the outer end of theprefix bar with objects in moving the machine from place to place.During a printing operation, the prefix bar 39 moves inwardly along theprinting line into contact with the first of the printing segments thenin printing position and upon completion of such operation is returnedto its normal position by arm 45 and lever 53 as in the above identifiedRindfieisch patent. The side panel 6 and side frame plate 8 are providedwith suitable openings which accommodate movement of the prefix bar 39and removal and replacement thereof, if required, as will be understood.When it is desired to print checks for exceptionally large amounts, theprefix bar 39 is shifted from its inner position of FIG- URES l and 3 toits outer position of FIGURE 7, with the latch lever 42 then engagedover stud 41. The prefix bar 39 is then clear of the printing segments17 either or both of which may be adjusted to a desired printingposition. During the printing operation the prefix bar 39 moves inwardinto contact with the first of the printing segments then in printingposition and is returned to its outer position upon completion of suchoperation, as before.

Vthen printing a check for ten cents or less all of the segments exceptthe last or second cent segment are in non-printing position with thenotches 27 thereof aligned on the printing line. Accordingly, the prefixbar 39 will move inwardly along the rinting line for substantially thefull length thereof until it contacts the last segment. Due to theexceptional length of the prefix bar 39 and its maximum extent oftravel, it would sag downward away from the top surfaces of the notches27 of the printing segments in non-printing position. That would beobjectionable as causing blurring of the characters printed by theprefix bar and possible tearing of the check. To guard against that, theupper face of the prefix bar 39 should seat firmly against the topsurfaces of the notches 27 at all times during the printing operation,particularly when the prefix bar 39 is being subject to pressure by theplaten 31. To that end several printing segments are provided withheaded studs 55 secured in the tops of notches 27 thereof. When thosesegments are in non-printing position, the studs 55 are accuratelyaligned with rib 38 of sum post 11. As the prefix bar 39 moves inwardlyalong the printing line it passes over the studs 55 successively, whichare dimensioned to fit accurately into the slot of that bar. The studs55, in cooperation with rib 38 of post 11, support prefix bar 39 incontact with the top surfaces of notches 27 and in accurate alignmentwith such printing characters as may be disposed on the printing line,

during its inward and outward travel therealong.

I have disclosed the checkwriter of my invention, by way of example, assuitable for use in a monetary system having the dollar as the standardunit. It is to be understood, however, that such checkwriter may beadapted for use in other monetary systems, within the broader concept ofmy invention. Also, the total number of printing segments provided andthe number thereof in each group may be varied as desired or ascircumstances may require.

As above indicated, changes in detail may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend toinclude all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims, in this application in which the preferred form only of myinvention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a check Writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of printing segments individually adjustable about a commonaxis for selectively disposing printing characters thereof on theprinting line, said segments comprising a first group and a second groupand having a normal non-printing position and abutment elements disposedadjacent and in back of the printing line in said normal position ofsaid segments, operating means for effecting a printing operation, aprefix bar having a first inner position extending inward along theprinting line in front of the abutment elements of the segments of saidfirst group in the normal position thereof and effective for restrainingthem against movement to a printing position, said prefix bar having asecond outer position clear of the segments of said first group, andmeans for disposing said prefix bar in either of its said positionsselectively and for moving it inward along the printing line intocontact with the first one of said segments then in printing positionincident to a printing operation.

2. In a check writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of printing segments individually adjustable about a commonaxis for selectively disposing printing characters thereof on theprinting line, said segments comprising a first group and a second groupand having a normal non-printing position and abutment elements disposedadjacent and in back of the printing line in said normal position ofsaid segments, operating means for effectin a printing operation, aprefix bar having a first inner position extending inward along theprinting line in front of the abutment elements of the segments of saidfirst group in the normal position thereof and effective for restrainingthem against movement to a printing position, said prefix bar having asecond outer position clear of the segments of said first group, meansfor disposing said prefix bar in either of its said positionsselectively and for moving it inward along the printing line intocontact with the first one of said segments then in printing positionincident to a printing operation, and cooperating means carried by saidprefix bar and certain of said segments for guiding and supporting saidprefix bar in its movement.

3. in a check writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of printing segments individually adjustable about a commonaxis for selectively disposing printing characters thereof on theprinting line, said segments compris ng a first group and a second groupand having a normal non-printing position and notches providing abutmentelements disposed adjacent and in back of the printing line in saidnormal position of said segments, operating means for effecting aprinting operation, a prefix bar having a first inner position extendinginward along the printing line in front of the abutment elements of thesegments of said first group in the normal position thereof andeffective for restraining them against movement to a printing position,said prefix bar having a second outer position clear of the segments ofsaid first group, means for disposing said prefix bar in either of itssaid positions selectively and for moving it inward along the printingline into contact with the first one of said segments then in printingposition incident to a printing operation, and cooperating means carriedby said prefix bar and certain of said segments in said notches thereoffor guiding and supporting said prefix bar in its movement.

4. In a check writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of printing segments individually adjustable about a commonaxis for selectively disposing printing characters thereof on theprinting line, said segments comprising a first group and a second groupand having a normal non-printing position, said segments respectivelyfurther having a substantially rectangular notch providing an abutmentelement disposed adjacent and in back of the printing line in saidnormal position of said segments, operating means for effecting aprinting operation, a post adjacent said first group of segments havingat its under face a rib of substantially inverted T-shape in crosssection, a prefix bar having an upwardly opening slot conforming to andreceiving said rib, said prefix bar having a first inner positionextending into the notches of the segments of said first group in saidnormal position thereof efiective for restraining them against movementfrom non-printing position, said prefix bar having a second positionclear of said segments of said first group, means for disposing saidprefix bar in either of its said positions selectively and for moving itinward along said printing line into contact with the first of saidsegments then in printing position incident to a printing operation, andheaded studs carried by certain of said segments in the notches thereofdisposed to enter the slot of said prefix bar for guiding and supportingthe latter in its movement.

5. In a check writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of printing segments individually adjustable for selectivelydisposing printing characters thereof on the printing line, saidsegments comprising a first group and a second group and having a normalnonprinting position and abutment elements disposed adjacent and in backof the printing line in said normal position of said elements, operatingmeans for effecting a printing operation, a prefix bar having a firstnormal inner position extending inward along the printing line in frontof the abutment element of the first member in the normal position ofthe latter effective for restraining said first member against movementto a printing position, said prefix bar having a second outer positionclear of the abutment element of said first segment, said prefix barhaving spaced apart latch engageable means thereon corresponding to saidfirst inner and said second outer positions thereof, respectively, andmeans :for selectively engaging said latch engageable means of saidprefix bar for disposing it in either of said positions and for movingit inward along the printing line into contact with the first one ofsaid segments then in printing position incident to a printingoperation.

6. In a check Writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of rotatably mounted printing segments individually adjustablefor selectively disposing printing characters thereof on the printingline, said segments comprising a first group and a second group andhaving a normal non-printing position and notches providing abutmentelements disposed adjacent and in back of the printing line in saidnormal positions of said segments, operating means for effecting aprinting operation, a prefix bar having a first normal inner positionextending inward along the printing line into the notch of the firstsegment in a normal position to the latter effective for restrainingsaid first segment against movement to a printing position, said prefixbar having a second outer position clear of said notch and abutmentelement of said first segment, said prefix bar having spaced apart latchengageable means thereon corresponding to said first inner and secondouter positions thereof, respectively, and means including latch meansselectively engaging said latch engageable means of said prefix bar 'fordisposing it in either of said positions and for moving it inward alongthe printing line into contact with the first one of said segments thenin printing position incident to a printing operation.

7. In a check Writing machine, means defining a printing line, aplurality of coaxial rotatably mounted printing segments individuallyrotatably in one direction to selective printing positions and in theopposite direction to a normal non-printing position, said segmentscomprising a first group and a second group and having a normalnon-printing position, stop means restraining said segments againstrotation in said opposite direction beyond said normal position, saidsegments having notches providing abutment elements disposed adjacentand in back of the printing line in said normal position of saidsegments, operating means for effecting a printing operation, a prefixbar having a first normal inner position extending inward along theprinting line in front of the abutment element in the normal position ofthe latter and in cooperation with said stop means blocking said firstsegment against movement in either direction, said prefix bar having asecond outer position clear of the notch and abutment element of saidfirst segment, said prefix bar having spaced apart latch engageablemeans thereon corresponding to said first inner and said second outerpositions thereof, respectively, and means including latch means forselectively engaging said latch engageable means of said prefix bar fordisposing it in either of said positions and for moving it inward alongthe printing line into contact with the first one of said segments thenin printing position incident to a printing operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,329,646 9/1943Payne 101-2O 2,697,981 12/1954 Rindfleisch 10120 2,707,432 5/1955Rindfieisch 101-95 2,786,411 3/1957 Welter 101-97 3,241,481 3/1966Gopperton 10196 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

5. IN A CHECK WRITING MACHINE, MEANS DEFINING A PRINTING LINE, APLURALITY OF PRINTING SEGMENTS INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE FOR SELECTIVELYDISPOSING PRINTING CHARACTERS THEREOF ON THE PRINTING LINE, SAIDSEGMENTS COMPRISING A FIRST GROUP AND A SECOND GROUP AND HAVING A NORMALNONPRINTING POSITION AND ABUTMENT ELEMENTS DISPOSED ADJACENT AND IN BACKOF THE PRINTING LINE IN SAID NORMAL POSITION OF SAID ELEMENTS, OPERATINGMEANS FOR EFFECTING A PRINTING OPERATION, A PREFIX BAR HAVING A FIRSTNORMAL INNER POSITION EXTENDING INWARD ALONG THE PRINTING LINE IN FRONTOF THE ABUTMENT ELEMENT OF THE FIRST MEMBER IN THE NORMAL POSITION OFTHE LATTER EFFECTIVE FOR RESTRAINING SAID FIRST MEMBER AGAINST MOVEMENTTO A PRINTING POSITION, SAID PREFIX BAR HAVING A SECOND OUTER POSITIONCLEAR OF THE ABUTMENT ELEMENT OF SAID FIRST SEGMENT, SAID PREFIX BARHAVING SPACED APART LATCH ENGAGEABLE MEANS THEREON CORRESPONDING TO SAIDFIRST INNER AND SAID SECOND OUTER POSITIONS THEREOF, RESPECTIVELY, ANDMEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ENGAGING SAID LATCH ENGAGEABLE MEANS OF SAIDPREFIX BAR FOR DISPOSING IT IN EITHER OF SAID POSITIONS AND FOR MOVINGIT INWARD ALONG THE PRINTING LINE INTO CONTACT WITH THE FIRST ONE OFSAID SEGMENTS THEN IN PRINTING POSITION INCIDENT TO A PRINTINGOPERATION.